The Wireless Warehouse

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Solutions for a Mobile Wireless World
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Agenda

• The Wireless Warehouse Overview
• Steps in the process
• SkyWire Solution
• Case Studies
• Kolotex
• Australian Wool Handlers (AWH)
• Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL)
• National Fresh Produce Distributor

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The Wireless Warehouse
Technology to improve the productivity of each
warehouse worker from receiving to shipping while
maintaining inventory control
Picking/ Selection - Setting quality levels on
products
Inventory Management - Stocktaking end of day

• Shipping
• Scanning of Barcode
• on Courier Slip

Verifying Large Orders Or VIP type orders
Receiving - from Suppliers
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Sample RF Site Configuration

10Base T Ethernet Wired Backbone

• AP4121
• Spectrum24 Access Point
• DHCP Enabled
• 11Mbps 802.11B Data Rate
• Common Access Point Profile

• Enterprise Server
• ERP Software (SAP, JD Edwards, BPics)
• Warehouse Management System (Manhatten, EXE, Marc
  Global)
• Customised inhouse application

• PDT6846, PDT6146, VRC6946, WSS1060
• Spectrum24 Portable Terminals
• DHCP Enabled
• 11Mbps 802.11b Data Rate

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Current Applications
Receiving
Putaway
Stocktaking
Replenishment
Picking

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New Players, New Applications New Demands
802.11b
VOIP
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Next Generation Applications
Multi-Application Ability to connect other
apps, email, transport, quality control
Receiving
Putaway
Connectivity Notebooks, PCs, Printers, Phone
Stocktaking
Replenishment
Picking
Support A vital part of Total Cost of Ownership
Productivity Greater returns expected from RF
Investment

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Wireless Warehouse Implementation Steps

• Identify Requirements
• Produce Functional Specification
• Distribute RFP to the market
• Receive evaluate solution options
• Implementation plan
• Installation
• Testing Training
• Go Live
• Ongoing follow up, monitoring and support

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1. Identify Requirements

• Monitor trends
• Technology awareness
• Industry bodies
• EAN, LAA, ADCA,
• Magazines MHD,LMH.
• Business expectations / goals
• Market demands

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2. Functional Specification

• Business Processes
• Work flow needs
• Return on investment
• Leasing or purchasing requirement
• Maintenance Support services required
• IT Processes
• Computer interface needs
• Required future IT infrastructure
• Material Handling interface
• Backup redundancy required
• Maintenance Support services required
• User Processes
• User interface needs
• Bar code labelling equipment requirements
• Maintenance Support services required
• Ergonomic needs

Important to distribute Functional Specification
internally to get sign off from key
stakeholders
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3. Distribute RFP to the Market
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4. Evaluate Solution Options

• Company track record capabilities
• Reference sites, strategic alliances
• Does the solution meet the Business, IT
  Operational needs outlined in the Functional
  Specification?
• Does the company supply a Service Level
  Agreement? Will ongoing support be reliable and
  benchmarked?

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The Components that make up a Wireless Solution
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The SkyWire Solution
Customer Requirements
Warehouse Solution
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Case Studies
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The Company

• Manufacturers of one of Australias most popular
  and well-known brands of womens hosiery
• Australian and international distribution network

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The Requirements
Key Issues

• Comprehensive support
• 24 hour turnaround on Access Points
• 3-day turnaround on Hardware
• Network Monitoring
• Device Configuration Management
• Needed to perform a range of specific barcode
  scanning functions within the warehouse
  environment, including
• Picking Packing
• Restocking from bulk storage
• Stocktaking
• Supervision

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The Solution

• Wireless LAN Infrastructure
• A combination of PDT 6140, WSS 1040 and SPT 1740
  devices
• ROI Avalanche 5250 Emulation
• Customer chose Symbol hardware due to
  comprehensiveness of solution and quality of
  support

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The Solution

• Picking Application
• PDT 6140
• Smaller form factor

• Supervisor
• SPT1740

• Email
• Backup emulation device

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The Process

• Functional Specification documented
• Understanding the requirements of the key
  stakeholders IT, Operations and Business
• Undertook site survey and documented report
• Designed solution
• Based on functional specification and site survey
  parameters
• AP, Devices, Software

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The Company
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The Requirements

• Connectivity
• Need to provide connectivity for various devices
  throughout the site
• Enterprise connectivity Notebooks, PCs and
  network
• Robust Solution
• High level of redundancy required
• Huge coverage areas
• Ruggedised devices required with long range
  scanning capabilities
• Open standard architecture

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The Solution

• The largest 802.11b Symbol Wireless LAN
  Infrastructure in Australia
• Half a million square metres (5 million square
  feet)
• PDT6846 Ruggedised Long Range Data Terminal
• Avalanche 5250 Emulation
• Professional Services
• System Design
• Site Survey
• Installation
• Integration
• Training

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The Solution
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The Process

• Functional Specification / Requirements Analysis
• Device selection
• Scanning distance
• Barcode analysis
• Project scope defined included project
  management, installation of all power data
  cabling, training requirements
• National Site Survey Analysis continuity
• See design issues to follow
• Implementation integration
• Training support

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The Process

• Design Issues
• Coverage and Capacity
• Radio Design Elements
• Antennas
• Antenna Cabling
• Current LAN Infrastructure and Configuration
• LAN expansion for Wireless Backbone
• Support

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The Process

• Coverage Capacity
• Where is coverage required?
• How many end user devices will be used?
• What types of end user devices will be used e.g.
  data capture, wireless IP Phones, NIC Cards
• What is the expected throughput and response
  times?
• Is redundancy required?

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The Process

• Radio Design Issues

Reflection/Multipathing
Absorption
Interference from External Radio Networks
Stock Level Variation
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The Process

• Antennae

To Antenna 1
To Antenna 2
From Access Point
Power Divider
Omni Directional
Patch 90 degree
Yagi High Gain
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The Process

• Antenna Cabling

• Enables you to locate the antenna in the best
  possible position
• The Access Point is in position where it can be
  easily accessed for suppport
• Must be aware of the Cable Losses and choose the
  appropriate Cable type and Length

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The Process

• LAN Infrastructure

• Network Topology (Ethernet? Speed?
  Shared/Switched?)
• Network Utilisation is added Wireless
  Infrastructure going to overload the network?
• IP Addressing Scheme
• Data Port availability and locations
• Ethernet Backbones can be bridged, via the
  Access Points
• Security
• Management
• Current Cabling Standards
• Voice over IP capability

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The Company
3PL

• Third Party Logistics Provider (3PL)
• National operation with pilot deployment in NSW

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The Requirements
3PL

• Development of Transportation System
• Proof of Delivery
• Synchronisation
• Validation
• Version Control
• Scope for Stage 2 Warehouse System
• Wireless infrastructure to provide scope for
  warehousing
• Standardisation on a data capture device for
  multiple applications

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The Solution
3PL

• 11Mbps 802.11b Wireless LAN Infrastructure
• SPT1746
• Custom application using PalmOS
• Ongoing support options

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The Process
3PL

• Scope of project identified
• User Requirement Analysis commissioned
• Functional Specification software
• Software Development
• Implementation / Integration
• Training

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The Company
Produce Distributor

• Fresh Produce Distributor
• One of Australias largest fruit and vegetable
  wholesalers
• National operation
• First use of RF Technology throughout the
  organisation

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The Requirements
Produce Distributor

• Interface with WMS
• Parallel implementation RF / WMS
• RF Technology must supplement rather than
  detriment already excellent picking productivity
  and accuracy
• Comprehensive support (as there is no in-house
  IT Dept)
• Network Monitoring
• Device Configuration Management

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The Solution
Produce Distributor

• 11Mbps 802.11b Wireless LAN Infrastructure
• A combination of PDT 3146, WSS 1060 and PDT6846
  devices to suit warehouse processes
• WavelinkSNC24 Network Management Software

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The Process
Produce Distributor

• Respond to RFP
• Site Visits
• Operational
• Ride ons picking application
• Casual full-time staff
• Barcode analysis recommendation
• Environmental issues
• Cold room
• Technical
• Confirm proposed solution would interface with
  all major WMS providers

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The SkyWire Solution
Customer Requirements
Warehouse Solution
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Solutions for a Mobile Wireless World